Medical Records

Medical Records

Medical records

7 Do’s and 5 Don’ts to Keep Medical Records Legally Compliant

A lot goes into maintaining accurate and compliant medical records, from storing them for a certain period of time to ensuring that you’ve documented medical necessity in every file. And one factor that should never be left behind is ensuring that your medical records are legally compliant. Check out seven Do’s and five Don’ts to […]
Published Date: April 9, 2024
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Medical records request

How Many Records Can Auditors Request? You May Be Surprised

It happens almost every day: Practices already stretched thin with their existing responsibilities are asked to send hundreds of medical records to auditors for “review.” The additional work and stress from the medical records request pushes practices to their limits and seems excessive to most practice managers. What recourse do you have for these voluminous […]
Published Date: January 8, 2024
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Subpoena for medical records

4 Questions to Ask if You Get a Subpoena for Medical Records

If your practice receives a subpoena for medical records, it’s important to stay calm. Although you have to toe the line between complying with the subpoena and protecting patient privacy, there are important questions you must answer before sending the records. Check out the four questions you should always ask when you get a subpoena […]
Published Date: October 24, 2023
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How long should providers keep eobs

EOB Retention Laws: How Long Must You Keep Them?

Your practice has researched how long to retain medical records, imaging scans, patient correspondence and tax forms. But have you ever wondered how long should providers keep EOBs? The explanation of benefits you receive are a valuable part of your files, but many practices wonder if it’s essential to hang on to them for long […]
Published Date: September 4, 2023
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Mental health records

10 Factors That May Trigger Mental Health Pay Recoupments

When an auditor reviews your mental health records, they’re looking for specific elements that will justify the money they paid you for your services. And if they can’t check off every box, they won’t hesitate to recoup your reimbursement. To anticipate exactly what auditors are looking for in your mental health records, check these 10 […]
Published Date: March 29, 2023
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Medical records

4 Factors to Consider When Creating Medical Record Guidelines

Your medical records are potentially the most important documents that your practice maintains, so creating guidelines around how they’ll be created, stored and handled can help you remain compliant. To develop guidelines for your medical records, check out four essential steps that your practice can’t afford to ignore. 1. Your Medical Record Policy Should Be […]
Published Date: January 24, 2023
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Amending medical records

5 Tips to Remember for Compliant Documentation Amendments

Contrary to popular belief, you can sometimes make amendments to medical documentation after the date of service, as long as you know the rules. The key is to ensure you’re following payer regulations, state laws and internal compliance guidelines that your practice has in place. As long as you check those boxes, amending the medical […]
Published Date: December 13, 2022
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Medical records storage

3 Tips Help You Decide Where to Store Protected Health Info

It’s no surprise that you must store patient medical records for a set amount of time—often up to 10 years—depending on your state rules. And if you don’t comply with this requirement, you could face fines up to $50,000 per violation. What you may not know, however, is that your responsibility doesn’t end once you […]
Published Date: September 14, 2022
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Medical records archiving

Archive/Destroy: Comply w/HIPAA Medical Record Access Rules

Archiving and destroying unused medical records may seem like the perfect solution to medical storage space issues (both electronic and paper). However, if you get it wrong, you can end up violating access to medical records rules. Before you destroy any information, be sure you’re not violating HIPAA by not being able to provide your […]
Published Date: April 28, 2022
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Teen records requests

Prevent Costly Errors When Denying Teen Record Requests

Knowing when you can deny access to a teen patient’s medical records is tricky, especially when it’s a parent making the request. To get it right, you must comply with complex federal and state regulations (depending on your state). Teen records requests. In general, there are 4 key situations (plus a new rule related to […]
Published Date: December 23, 2021
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